It was something they had wanted to do with friends when at university, in the 60s, but didn't have the resources. I wanted to do it as an adult, but never made it, and, as you say, it looks pretty difficult now. Guess there may be a route through Turkey-Iran-Pakistan which would be safe enough, even now - or else the BIG trans-Siberian to China to India loop, which would be fascinating, but!!!!!!!!! ...........Cool man :)